Movable Blade Release Mechanism For A Cutting Tool

ABSTRACT

A cutting tool includes a fixed blade having a cutting surface and a movable blade having a cutting surface. The movable blade is rotatable between a receiving position in which the cutting surfaces are spaced and a cutting position in which an object disposed between the fixed and movable blades is cut by the cutting surfaces. A return spring member is connected to the movable blade. The spring member stores energy when the movable blade is rotated from the receiving position to the cutting position. The spring member returns the movable blade to the receiving position when the stored energy is released.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a movable blade release mechanism for acutting tool. More particularly, the present invention relates to acutting tool having a spring member that stores energy during operationsuch that when the stored energy is released a movable blade is returnedto its initial position. Still more particularly, the present inventionrelates to a cutting tool in which a pinion gear is movable betweenfirst and second positions, such that energy is stored in a springmember when the pinion gear is in the first position and energy storedin the spring member is released when the pinion gear is in the secondposition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional cutting tools rotate a movable blade relative to a fixedblade to cut a cable. The movable blade is rotated from an initialposition toward the fixed blade to cut the cable positioned between thetwo blades. After the cable is cut, the movable blade is rotated back tothe first position.

The cutting process includes those two movements: advancing the movableblade toward the fixed blade, and returning the movable blade to itsinitial position. An important performance feature of cutting tools isthe speed at which the cutting process can be conducted. Conventionalcutting tools neglect the speed at which the movable blade is returnedto its initial position after cutting a cable such that another cuttingprocess can be conducted. Accordingly, a need exists for a cutting toolin which the movable blade is quickly returned to its initial positionafter cutting a cable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a primary objective of the present invention is to providean improved cutting tool for cutting a cable.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide an improvedcutting tool in which the movable blade is quickly returned to itsinitial position after cutting a cable.

The foregoing objectives are basically attained by a cutting toolincluding a fixed blade having a first cutting surface and a movableblade having a second cutting surface. The movable blade is rotatablebetween a first position in which the second cutting surface is spacedfrom the first cutting surface of the fixed blade and a second positionin which a cable disposed between the fixed and movable blades is cut bythe first and second cutting surfaces. A return spring member isconnected to the movable blade. The return spring member stores energywhen the movable blade is rotated from the first position to the secondposition. The return spring member returns the movable blade to thefirst position when the stored energy is released. Accordingly, themovable blade is quickly returned to the first position such thatanother cutting process can be performed.

The foregoing objectives are also basically attained by a cutting toolincluding a fixed blade and a movable blade having a plurality of teeth.The movable blade is rotatable between a first position spaced from thefixed blade to receive an object therebetween and a second positionadjacent the fixed blade to cut the object disposed between the fixedand movable blades. A drive pinion gear is movable between a driveposition engaging the plurality of teeth of the movable blade and areturn position disengaged from the plurality of teeth. The drive piniongear rotates the movable blade from the first position to the secondposition in the drive position. A return spring member is connected tothe movable blade to store energy when the movable blade is rotated fromthe first position to the second position and to release the storedenergy to return the movable blade when the drive pinion gear is movedto the return position, thereby rotating the movable blade back to thefirst position. Accordingly, the movable blade is quickly returned tothe first position such that another cutting process can be performed.

The foregoing objectives are also basically attained by a method ofoperating a cutting tool. A movable blade is rotated from a firstposition to a second position to cut a cable. A drive pinion gear isdisengaged from the movable blade. The movable blade is rotated back tothe first position after disengaging the drive pinion gear from themovable blade. Accordingly, the movable blade is quickly returned to thefirst position such that another cutting process can be performed.

Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken inconjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodimentsof the invention.

As used in this application, the terms “front,” “rear,” “upper,”“lower,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and other orientational descriptorsare intended to facilitate the description of the cutting tool, and arenot intended to limit the structure of the cutting tool to anyparticular position or orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above aspects and features of the present invention will be moreapparent from the description for exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention taken with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a right side perspective view of the cutting tool inaccordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention inwhich a drive pinion gear engages teeth of a movable cutting blade;

FIG. 2 is a right side perspective view of the cutting tool of FIG. 1with frame plates connected thereto;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the cutting tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cutting tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the cutting tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged perspective view of a linking arm engaginga drive pinion gear shaft of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the drive pinion gear of a engaging theteeth of the movable cutting blade of FIG. 1 in which a return piniongear is removed for clarity;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the drive pinion gear disengaged fromthe teeth of the movable cutting blade of FIG. 1 in which a returnpinion gear is removed for clarity;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a return pinion shaft of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a left side perspective view of the cutting tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cutting tool in accordance with asecond exemplary embodiment of the present invention in which a drivepinion gear engages teeth of a movable cutting blade and in which frameplates are removed for clarity;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the cutting tool of FIG. 11 in whichthe drive pinion gear is disengaged from teeth of the movable cuttingblade; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the cutting tool of FIG. 11 with frameplates connected thereto.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood torefer to like parts, components and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. 1-10, a cutting tool 11 in accordance with a firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a movable cuttingblade 12, a fixed cutting blade 13 and a second spring member 14connected to the movable cutting blade. During a cutting procedure, themovable cutting blade 12 is rotated relative to the fixed cutting blade13 to cut an object, such as a cable, disposed therebetween. As themovable cutting blade 12 is rotated from a first position shown in FIGS.1 and 7 to a second position shown in FIG. 8, the spring member 14 (FIG.10) stores rotational energy. Releasing the stored rotational energy ofthe spring member 14 causes the movable cutting blade 12 to quicklyreturn to the first position.

The movable cutting blade 12 has an inner edge 15 and an outer edge 18,as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The inner edge 15 of the movable cuttingblade 12 has a first cutting member 16. As shown in FIG. 4, the firstcutting member 16 is preferably removably connected to a first mountingportion 22 of the movable blade 12, such as by fasteners. The firstcutting member 16 has a first cutting surface 23 to facilitate cuttingan object, such as a cable. A plurality of teeth 17 are formed on anouter, semi-cylindrical edge 18 of the movable cutting blade 12.Preferably, the plurality of teeth 17 extend along a majority of theouter edge 18 of the movable blade 12. An opening 19 in the movablecutting blade 12 receives a pin (not shown) to rotatably mount themovable cutting blade between first and second frame plates 20 and 21,as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The first cutting member 16 is preferablyremovably connected to a first mounting portion 22, as shown in FIG. 4,of the movable blade 12, such as by fasteners. Alternatively, the firstcutting member 16 can be connected to the movable blade 12 in anysuitable manner.

The fixed cutting blade 13 has an inner edge 24 and an outer edge 25, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The inner edge 24 of the fixed blade 13 has asecond cutting member 26. As shown in FIG. 4, the second cutting member26 is preferably removably connected to a second mounting portion 27 ofthe fixed blade 13, such as by fasteners. The second cutting member 26has a second cutting surface 28 to facilitate cutting an object disposedbetween the first and second cutting surfaces 23 and 28. Alternatively,the second cutting member 26 can be connected to the fixed blade 13 inany suitable manner.

A drive pinion gear 29 is non-rotatably, but axially movably, mounted ona drive shaft 30, as shown in FIG. 4, to rotate with rotation of thedrive shaft 30. A motor 31 rotates a motor shaft 32 on which a firstbevel gear 33 is mounted. A second bevel gear 34 is disposed on thedrive shaft 30 such that rotation of the motor shaft 32 causes rotationof the drive shaft 30, which is mounted at approximately 90 degrees tothe motor shaft 32. The drive shaft 30 has splines to facilitatenon-rotatably mounting the drive pinion gear 29 and second bevel gear 34thereon. Accordingly, bores in the drive pinion gear 29 and the secondbevel gear 34 have splines, as shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, the drivepinion shaft 30, drive pinion gear 29 and second bevel gear 34 can bekeyed to facilitate non-rotatably mounting the drive pinion gear and thesecond bevel gear on the drive pinion shaft.

A mounting plate 35 is fixedly connected to the motor 31 and has anopening 36 through which the motor shaft 32 rotatably extends. A frame37 is connected to the mounting plate 35 and has first and second pairsof recesses 38 and 39. The first frame plate 20 is received by the firstpair of recesses 38 and the second frame plate 21 is received by thesecond pair of recesses 39, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, to mount thefirst and second frame plates to the frame 37.

A first or drive spring member 40 is disposed on the drive shaft 30 onone side of the drive pinion gear 29, as shown in FIG. 5. Preferably,the first spring member 40 is a compression spring. A sleeve 41 isdisposed on the drive shaft 30 on the opposite side of the drive piniongear 29 than the first spring member 40. The drive pinion gear 29 ismovable on the drive shaft 30 along a longitudinal axis 56 between afirst position shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 in which the drive pinion gear 29engages the plurality of teeth 17 of the movable blade 12 and a secondposition shown in FIG. 8 in which the drive pinion gear 29 is disengagedfrom the plurality of teeth 17 of the movable blade 12. The first springmember 40 biases the drive pinion gear 29 to the first position.

A linkage assembly 42 is connected between a trigger 43 and the sleeve41, as shown in FIGS. 4-6. The linkage assembly 42 includes a firstlinking arm 44 having a first end 45 and a second end 46. Preferably,the first linking arm 44 is substantially linear. The first end 45 isfixedly connected to the trigger 43, such as by a pin connection (notshown), and the second end 46 is connected to a first end 48 of a secondlinking arm 47. Preferably, the second linking arm 47 is substantiallyL-shaped. A second end 49 of the second linking arm 47 engages thesleeve 41 on the drive shaft 30. Preferably, a hook is formed at thesecond end 49 of the second linking arm 47 to facilitate engaging thesleeve 41. A third linking arm 50 is fixed to the first frame plate 20.The second linking arm 47 is connected to the third linking arm 50between the first and second ends 48 and 49 thereof such that linearmovement of the first linking arm 44 results in rotation of the secondlinking arm 48 about a rotation axis 51 at the connection point to thethird linking arm 50, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. As shown in FIGS. 1-6,the second linking arm 48 engages the sleeve 41 above the drive shaft30. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the second linking arm 48engages the sleeve 41 below the drive shaft 30.

A return pinion gear 52 is non-rotatably mounted on a return shaft 53 torotate with the return shaft, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The returnpinion gear 52 and the return shaft 53 are preferably keyed to preventrotation of the return pinion gear 52 on the return shaft 53. As shownin FIG. 4, the return shaft 53 has a flat portion 98 engaged by a flatportion 99 of an aperture of the return pinion gear 52 therebypreventing rotation of the return pinion gear on the return shaft.Alternatively, the return pinion gear 52 and the return shaft can besplined to prevent rotation therebetween. Any suitable method can beused to prevent rotation of the return pinion gear 52 with respect tothe return pinion shaft 53.

The return pinion gear 52 is disposed between the first and second frameplates 20 and 21. The return pinion gear 52 engages the plurality ofteeth 17 of the movable blade 12. The second or return spring member 14is disposed on the return shaft 53 on an opposite side of the secondframe plate 21 from the return pinion gear 52. A first end 55 of thesecond spring member 14 is received by a slot 54 in the return shaft 53.A second end 56 of the second spring member 14 is fixed to the secondframe plate 21, such as to a pin 71. Preferably, the second springmember 14 is a torsion spring. Accordingly, rotation of the secondspring member 14 causes rotational energy to be stored therein. Abearing member 73 is disposed in the fixed blade 13 to allow the returnshaft 53 to pass therethrough while allowing the return shaft 53 torotate relative to the fixed blade 13.

A plurality of snap rings 74, 75 and 76 are disposed on the return shaft53 to prevent axial movement of the return shaft 53, as shown in FIGS. 4and 11. The first snap ring 74 prevents axial movement of the returnshaft 53 to the right as shown in FIG. 11. The second snap ring 75prevents axial movement of the return pinion gear 52, which is disposedon the return shaft 53 between the second snap ring 75 and the bearingmember 73. The third snap ring 76 prevents movement of the return shaft53 to the left and maintains the position of the bearing member 73between the return pinion gear 52 and the third snap ring 76.

A blade guide 58 is connected to the fixed blade 13, as shown in FIGS. 3and 4, to maintain alignment of the blades 12 and 13. A stop member 59is connected to the fixed blade 13 and the blade guide 58 to preventfurther rotation of the movable blade 12. During the cutting process, afirst end 60 of the first cutting member 16 of the movable blade 12abuts the stop member 59 such that further rotation of the movable blade12 in the cutting direction is prevented, as shown in FIG. 4. When themovable blade 12 is returned to its initial position, a second end 61 ofthe movable blade 12 abuts the stop member 59 thereby preventing furtherrotation in the return direction.

Operation

The cutting tool 11 in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention provides a quick return of the movable cuttingblade 12 to a first, or receiving, position after using the tool to cutan object, such as a cable. Accordingly, the movable blade 12 is quicklyreturned to the first position such that another cutting process can beperformed.

The movable blade 12 is shown in a first, or receiving, position inFIGS. 5 and 7. The first spring member 40 biases the drive pinion gear29 and the sleeve 41 to their respective first positions, as shown inFIG. 5. The drive pinion gear 29 is in a first position engaged with theplurality of teeth 17 of the movable blade 12. The return pinion gear 52is engaged with the plurality of teeth 17 of the movable blade 12, asshown in FIG. 2.

To cut an object positioned between the movable and fixed cutting blades12 and 13, electrical power is supplied to the motor 31 to rotate themotor shaft 32. First and second bevel gears 33 and 34 translate therotation of the motor shaft 32 ninety degrees to rotate the drive shaft30. The drive pinion gear 29 rotates with the drive shaft 30. Theplurality of teeth 17 of the movable cutting blade 12 are engaged withthe first pinion gear 29, such that rotation of the pinion gear 29rotates the movable cutting blade in a cutting direction from a first orreceiving position in which the first cutting surface 23 is spaced fromthe second cutting surface 28 to a second or cutting position in whichan object disposed between the first and second cutting surfaces 23 and28 is cut. A first end 60 of the movable cutting blade 12 abuts the stopmember 59 to prevent further rotation of the movable cutting blade inthe cutting direction. A load limiter electrically connected to a wiringharness or circuit board electrically connected to the motor 31 preventsexcess force from being exerted by the movable cutting blade 12 on thestop member 59 by stopping the supply of power to the motor 31.

The rotation of the movable cutting blade 12 rotates the return piniongear 52. The rotation of the return pinion gear 52 rotates the returnshaft 53 in a first direction. The first end 55 of the second springmember 14 is fixed to the return shaft 53 and the second end 56 is fixedto a pin 71 connected to the second frame plate 21, as shown in FIG. 12,such that rotation of the return shaft 53 stores energy in the secondspring member 14.

When the object has been cut, the user presses an upper portion 63 ofthe trigger 43. The movement of the upper portion 63 of the trigger 43moves the first linking arm 44 inwardly. The linear movement inwardly ofthe first linking arm 44 rotates the second linking arm 47 about itsrotation axis 51, as shown in FIG. 10. The rotation of the secondlinking arm 47 causes the second end 49 thereof to abut the sleeve 41,thereby moving the sleeve on the longitudinal axis 57 to a secondposition. The linear movement of the sleeve 41 pushes the drive piniongear 29 along the longitudinal axis 57 to a second position in which thedrive pinion gear 29 is disengaged from the teeth 17 of the movablecutting blade 12. The movement of the drive pinion gear 29 compressesthe first spring member 40.

When the drive pinion gear 29 is disengaged from the teeth 17 of themovable blade 12, the motor 31 no longer rotates the movable blade 12.Accordingly, the return shaft 53 is also no longer rotated. This allowsthe second spring member 14 to release the stored rotational energy,which rotates the return shaft 53 in a second direction opposite to thefirst direction in which the return shaft was rotated during the cuttingprocess. The rotation of the return shaft 53 rotates the return piniongear 52 in a direction opposite to the direction in which the returnpinion gear rotates during the cutting process. The movable cuttingblade 12 is rotated in a return direction (opposite to the cuttingdirection) to its first position. The second end 61 of the movablecutting blade 12 abuts the stop member 59, thereby preventing furtherrotation in the return direction. Accordingly, the second spring member14 quickly returns the movable cutting blade 12 to its first positionafter cutting an object.

When the movable blade 12 has returned to the first position, the usermanually presses the lower portion 64 of the trigger 43 to move thefirst linking arm 44 linearly outwardly. The second linking arm 47rotates about the rotational axis 57 to move the second end 49 away fromthe sleeve 41. The first spring member 40 expands to its initialposition, thereby moving the drive pinion gear 29 and the sleeve 41 onthe drive shaft 30 along the longitudinal axis 57. The sleeve 41 ismoved on the drive shaft 30 until it abuts the second end 49 of thesecond linking arm 47. The drive pinion gear 29 engages the plurality ofteeth 17 of the movable cutting blade 12. The cutting tool 11 is inposition to perform another cutting operation.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

A second exemplary embodiment of the cutting tool 111 of the presentinvention is shown in FIGS. 11-13. Operation of the second exemplaryembodiment of the cutting tool 111 is substantially similar to theoperation of the cutting tool 11 of the first exemplary embodiment,except that the cutting tool 111 of the second exemplary embodiment doesnot use a return pinion gear 52 to rotate a movable cutting blade 112 toa first position, as shown in FIG. 13. The cutting tool 111 inaccordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the present inventionprovides a quick return of the movable cutting blade 112 to a first orreceiving position after using the tool to cut an object, such as acable. Accordingly, the movable blade 112 is quickly returned to thefirst position such that another cutting process can be performed.

The movable blade 112 is shown in a first, or receiving, position inFIG. 13. The drive pinion gear 129 is in a first position engaged withthe plurality of teeth 117 of the movable blade 112. As shown in FIGS.11 and 12, a first cutting member 125 has a groove 126 for removablyreceiving the first mounting portion 122 of the movable cutting blade112. The fixed cutting blade 113 can be similarly configured.Alternatively, the first and second cutting members 125 and 124 can besecured to the movable and fixed cutting blades 112 and 113 in anysuitable manner, such as with fasteners as shown in FIG. 13.

As shown in FIG. 13, a cutting blade shaft 191 is rotatably mounted to afirst frame plate 120. The movable cutting blade 112 is fixed to thecutting blade shaft 191 such that the movable cutting blade 112 rotateswith the cutting blade shaft 191. The fixed cutting blade 113 is mountedon and prevented from rotating with the cutting blade shaft 191.

A return spring member 114 is mounted on the cutting blade shaft 191, asshown in FIG. 13. A first end 155 of the return spring member 114 isfixed to the cutting blade shaft 191 and a second end 156 of the returnspring member 114 is fixed to a pin 171 connected to a first frame plate120, such that rotation of the cutting blade shaft 191 stores energy inthe return spring member 114. The return spring member 114 is preferablya torsion spring.

Cutting an object positioned between the movable and fixed cuttingblades 112 and 113 is substantially similar to the process describedwith respect to the cutting tool 11 of the first exemplary embodiment.Electrical power is supplied to the motor 131 to rotate the motor shaft32 (FIG. 4), which rotates the drive pinion gear 129. The plurality ofteeth 117 of the movable cutting blade 112 are engaged with the drivepinion gear 129, as shown in FIG. 11, such that rotation of the drivepinion gear 129 rotates the movable cutting blade 112 in a cuttingdirection from a first, or receiving, position in which a first cuttingsurface 123 of the movable cutting blade 112 is spaced from a secondcutting surface 128 of the fixed cutting blade 113 to a second, orcutting, position in which an object disposed between the first andsecond cutting surfaces 123 and 128 is cut.

The rotation of the movable cutting blade 112 rotates the cutting bladeshaft 191 on which the movable cutting blade 112 is fixedly mounted. Thefirst end 155 of the return spring member 114 rotates with the cuttingblade shaft 191 and with respect to the fixed second end 156 of thereturn spring member 114, thereby twisting the second spring member 114tighter and storing energy therein.

When the object has been cut, the user presses an upper portion 163 ofthe trigger 143. The movement of the upper portion 163 of the trigger143 moves the first linking arm 44 (FIG. 5) inwardly. The linearmovement inwardly of the first linking arm 44 (FIG. 5) rotates thesecond linking arm 147 about its rotation axis 151, as shown in FIGS. 11and 12. The rotation of the second linking arm 147 causes the second end149 thereof to abut the sleeve 141, thereby moving the sleeve 141 on thelongitudinal axis 157 to a second position as shown in FIG. 12. Thelinear movement of the sleeve 141 pushes the drive pinion gear 129 alongthe longitudinal axis 157 to a second position in which the drive piniongear 129 is disengaged from the teeth 117 of the movable cutting blade112.

When the drive pinion gear 129 is disengaged from the teeth 117 of themovable blade 112, the motor 31 (FIG. 4) no longer rotates the movableblade 112. Accordingly, the cutting blade shaft 191 is also no longerrotated. This allows the return spring member 114 to release the storedrotational energy, which rotates the cutting blade shaft 191 in a seconddirection opposite to the first direction in which the cutting bladeshaft 191 was rotated during the cutting process. The movable cuttingblade 112 is rotated in a return direction (opposite to the cuttingdirection) to its first position with the rotation of the cutting bladeshaft 191 in the return direction. Accordingly, the return spring member114 quickly returns the movable cutting blade 112 to its first positionafter cutting an object. The non-described portions of the cutting tool111 in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment are structurallyand operationally substantially similar to the cutting tool 11 of thefirst exemplary embodiment and are therefore not described again.

While advantageous embodiments have been chosen to illustrate theinvention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes and modifications may be made therein without departingfrom the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cutting tool, comprising: a fixed blade havinga first cutting surface; a movable blade having a second cuttingsurface, said movable blade being rotatable between a first position inwhich said second cutting surface is spaced from said first cuttingsurface of said fixed blade and a second position in which an objectdisposed between said fixed and movable blades is cut by said first andsecond cutting surfaces; and a return spring member connected to saidmovable blade to store energy when said movable blade is rotated fromsaid first position to said second position and to return said movableblade to said first position when said stored energy is released.
 2. Thecutting tool according to claim 1, wherein said movable blade has aplurality of teeth; and a drive pinion gear engages said plurality ofteeth to move said movable blade from said first position to said secondposition.
 3. The cutting tool according to claim 2, wherein said drivepinion gear is movable between first and second positions, said drivepinion gear engaging said plurality of teeth in said first position anddisengaging said plurality of teeth in said second position.
 4. Thecutting tool according to claim 3, wherein a linking arm moves saiddrive pinion gear between said first and second positions.
 5. Thecutting tool according to claim 4, wherein a manually operated triggeris connected to said linking arm to control movement thereof.
 6. Thecutting tool according to claim 3, wherein a return pinion gear engagessaid plurality of teeth of said movable blade and is connected to saidreturn spring member, rotation of said movable blade from said firstposition to said second position rotates said return pinion gear in afirst direction to store energy in said return spring member, andreleasing the stored energy in said return spring member rotates saidreturn pinion gear in a second direction to rotate said movable blade tosaid first position.
 7. The cutting tool according to claim 6, whereinmoving said drive pinion gear to said second position releases thestored energy in said return spring member.
 8. The cutting toolaccording to claim 1, wherein an end of said return spring member isconnected to a shaft on which said movable blade is mounted.
 9. Thecutting tool according to claim 8, wherein moving said drive pinion gearto said second position releases the stored energy in said return springmember.
 10. The cutting tool according to claim 1, wherein said returnspring member and said return pinion gear are mounted on a shaft. 11.The cutting tool according to claim 1, wherein said return spring memberis a torsion spring.
 12. A cutting tool, comprising: a fixed blade; amovable blade having a plurality of teeth and rotatable between a firstposition spaced from said fixed blade to receive an object therebetweenand a second position adjacent said fixed blade to cut the objectdisposed between said fixed and movable blades; a drive pinion gearmovable between a drive position engaging said plurality of teeth ofsaid movable blade and a return position disengaged from said pluralityof teeth, said drive pinion gear rotating said movable blade from saidfirst position to said second position in said drive position; and areturn spring member connected to said movable blade gear to storeenergy when said movable blade is rotated from said first position tosaid second position and to release the stored energy to return saidmovable blade when said drive pinion gear is moved to said returnposition, thereby rotating said movable blade back to said firstposition.
 13. The cutting tool according to claim 12, wherein saidreturn spring member is a torsion spring.
 14. The cutting tool accordingto claim 12, wherein a return pinion gear engages said plurality ofteeth of said movable blade; and said drive pinion gear is mounted on afirst shaft and said return pinion gear is mounted on a second shaft.15. The cutting tool according to claim 14, wherein said return springmember is connected to said second shaft.
 16. The cutting tool accordingto claim 12, wherein said return spring member and said movable bladeare mounted on a shaft.
 17. The cutting tool according to claim 16,wherein a first end of said return spring member is connected to saidshaft and a second end of said return spring member is connected to aframe plate.
 18. A method of operating a cutting tool, comprising thesteps of rotating a movable blade from a first position to a secondposition to cut an object; disengaging a drive pinion gear from themovable blade; and rotating the movable blade back to the first positionafter disengaging the drive pinion gear from the movable blade.
 19. Themethod of operating a cutting tool according to claim 18, furthercomprising storing energy in a spring member when said movable blade isrotated from said first position to said second position; and releasingthe stored energy of the spring member when the drive pinion gear isdisengaged from the movable blade to rotate said movable blade from saidsecond position to said first position.
 20. The method of operating acutting tool according to claim 18, wherein the drive pinion gear isdisengaged from the movable blade by pressing a trigger.